Tuesday, February 28, 2017

What I can I write? Last night Jim’s Trek passed 150,000 Pageviews. (Not in one night of course.) The count this morning was 150,060 Pageviews since I began this journey on December 2, 2012.

And this morning on my 1,300th day pedaling on my Schwinn Fitness cycles I pedaled another 20.2 miles. Totals are now 27,665.4 miles; 44,523.2 kilometers.

I guess I must spruce up with the pending two tourists who are thumbing a ride on Space X. I guess I can wave while the fly by. And I have now completed 46.8% of the distance to my next destination and goal point. On this 1,300 day of cycling, I have pedaled 2,763.8 miles on Mars on the virtual part of my journey.

“American presidents have often clashed with the press. But for a long time, the chief executive had little choice but to interact with journalists anyway…But to understand Donald Trump’s war on the press, you have to consider what has happened to American journalism since August 6, 1991, the day the first website launched. With that first website, the thick layer of mediation that once existed between the president and the masses began to evaporate…Trump is a master provocateur, perhaps because he has a reputation for being thin-skinned himself. He knows how to needle people. He knows which buttons to push. It’s why people adore him and despise him, because he knows how to get to them. He seems to have intuited that journalists, who believe deeply about the importance of their own work, will leap to defend the significance of what they do. Journalists writing about their own indispensability run the risk of underscoring the perception that they are elite, privileged, and somehow separate from “the people.”

This is my 1,403rd post. Per Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 150,060 Pageviews.

Monday, February 27, 2017

Beep. Beep. Beep. Every 2 minutes. Beep. Beep. Beep. 30 beeps. The only other sound, as I pedaled my Schwinn 170 this morning is the crunching and the dropping of ice-cubes from the ice-maker in the refrigerator.

I decided to pedal without any external noise and/or video playing. I am aware of my breathing. I am aware that I am pedaling at a 15/25 resistance. I note that I am cycling, (I bloody well hell better be cycling), for the 60 minutes.

I closed my eyes. I count my breaths. My legs are pounding. And beyond the effects of the darkness I see a hermit crab moving slowly, his house on his back, on the bottom of a white sandy depth of water. Hermit crab? Aqua clear water, who knows where my mind is going.

And my breathing is becoming stronger in the silence. My eyes still closed. Two frogs have jumped in front of me. I drink some water.

This morning I pedaled 20.6 miles on my Schwinn 170. Totals are now at 27,645.2 miles; 44,490.7 kilometers.

I have also completed 40.5% of the distance to my next destination and goal point.

With the news regarding the closure of Macys and JC Penneys, not that I have even graced their door steps in the past couple of decades, it is imperative that one does just as much comparative shopping online.

It is time to replace a certain product at my home. The product at Amazon was listed, initially for $199.99. At the Bed Bath and Beyond (BB&B) site the identical was listed for $219.99. (The product was only available online. The same product was not available at any of the local BB&B brick ‘n mortars close to the house.)

Decided to purchase via Amazon. But as we started to process the online Amazon order the product had now increased in price to $229.99.

Out of curiosity, decided to find out if we could use the famous 20% off BB&B coupon online. We could per the BB&B Chat representative if we had received an email discount coupon at one of our email addresses. The BB&B Chat rep checked and we had.

So now we decided to purchase the item from BB&B for the $219.99 less 20%. And to further the transaction we used an Amazon credit card we discounted the purchase with another 5% cash back. A savings of $63.55. And in both cases shipping was free. So, it does now pay to shop around online. I wonder what term will be coined for electronic price comparison shopping. Final cost $156.44. And yes, I know there was tax, but that would have been added no matter from which online facility I would have purchased the product.

This is my 1,402nd post. Per Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 149,793 Pageviews. February’s total Pageviews have already topped the 10,000 mark. That’s two months running.

Friday, February 24, 2017

This morning I pedaled my Schwinn 170 another 20.1 miles. Totals are now 27,624.6 miles; 44,457.6 kilometers. I almost, just almost mind you, decided to give up my cycling this morning. Oh no! But I didn’t.

And I have now completed 34.0% of the distance to my next destination and goal point on Mars. (That’s the virtual part of this crazy Trek.)

Soapbox –

The main thought going through my head today, while I become more and more frustrated with the advancement of the current league of politicians and pseudo-politicians in power, is that if something is not done sooner than later we move from a mirroring of 1984 through to the displacement by Animal Farm.

And then the Medicare saga which I thought was done, finished, rears its head again, one day, that is 1 day later...

Yesterday at about 3:00 o'clock I received a phone call. This time I was flabbergasted. Not much shocks me...but this takes the case.

The representative Case Manager from State Farm, whose name I shall not type for fear of going beyond the ethics of political correctness, tells me that "He has an open case in my name pertaining to Medicare, and that they require some information to close the open August 2015 case."

Words are beyond the limits of my gray matter. Period.

This is the Case Manager who handled, or should I say mishandled the August 2015 case, and could not understand the elements of sending a simple fax and closure letter on January 6. This is the same Case Manager that I spoke to on the 6th and on several other days in January.

And State Farm has been my insurance agent since 1981.

This is post script... and no matter who sits on whatever side of the aisle is something that is ever going to be fixed...

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

This morning I cycled my Schwinn 170 20.2 miles. Totals are now at 27,604.5 miles; 44,425.2 kilometers. And one can say that I have been consistent. This is my 1,400th post since I began this crazy Trek on December 2, 2012. (Yes, I do keep track.)

And I am now 27.8% of the distance completed to my next destination and goal point on Mars.

Medicare reclassification saga may have been completed as of yesterday February 21, 2017. This has been the sequence of events and all-things-being-equal someone somewhere does not know how to convey or read instructions in a clear and concise manner.

10. 01/13/2017 - I contact Medicare. They have received my faxes. Inform me that within the next 4 to 5 business days they will be mailing me a package to complete.

11. 01/30/2017 - I finally receive a package in the mail from Medicare. (I wondered what business day calendar they are using.)

12. 02/10/2017 - I gather and complete required documents and fax to Medicare. Was told to wait 5 business days.

13. 02/17/2017 - I contact Medicare to verify receipt. I am told that they will be reviewing my case. I am told that it will take 45 days to review the paperwork and close the case.

14. 02/21/2017 - I receive confirmation in the mail today that the August 17, 2015, case is closed.

15. I call Medicare to now reclassify my Medicare status.

16. I am put on hold for 30 minutes.

17. I am transfered to the next department at Medicare and put on call-back in 50 minutes.

18. I receive the call-back and then put on hold for 30 minutes.

19. I am then transferred once again and put on hold for 22 minutes.

20. I then ask the Medicare representative to please reclassify my status, what started this whole confusion, from "Medicare - work capable" to "Medicare - disabled".

21. I am asked all sort of questions pertaining to my case specifically to the closing of the August 2015 case as well as a number of other questions.

22. I am then asked as to what was my retirement date. I respond. I am informed that as everything appeared to be in place that I am now considered "Medicare - entitled to age". I respond - "Say what? What happened to the "Medicare - work capable" versus "Medicare - disabled"?

23. I am told that there is no such thing as "Medicare - work capable". I fell on the floor.

As I get up, I ask why did I have to go through this mental and physical exercise...and was told, "I am sorry Mr. Smith, someone must have got something wrong somewhere."

I then asked, "Is everything okay with my account? And do I now have the correct coverage?"

"Yes, Mr. Smith. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Case closed! Supposedly!

This is my 1,400th post. Per Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 148,051 Pageviews.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Today I decided that I did not want to get on my Schwinn 170. This morning I wanted to chuck in the whole damn Trek.

I think I was frustrated at my FBS count. I just seem to be ping-ponging no matter what I do. With all the exercise and watching my food intake, there may be some change going on with this body of mine. I really do not want to go back on chemicals for diabetes and I know for certain that the supplements are not working. (Hell, I just needed to vent.)

And it has been a wonder year for the orchids. Another one has bloomed.

Back to my Trek, I have now completed 21.4% of the distance to my next destination and goal point. To date, I have completed 2.682.7 miles on the surface of Mars.

And I have completed 20.2% of my overall Part V goal; or 72.2% of the total miles I intend to finish.

Soapbox –

Question – Where is the estimated $20 billion necessary to continue to build the DJT Wall expected to materialize from? Per The Hill “DHS releases new immigration rules”, Rafael Bernal and Jordan Fabian, Feb. 21, 2017.

“Lawmakers would also need to give the federal government more money to build the wall, which is estimated at roughly $20 billion.”

If one divides $20 billion by 34 that would fare a payout of $589 million each. I do believe that that is a fair allocation of pocket change for each currently elected, confirmed and nominated position of the new Administration.

Just a thought. It certainly would give them something to think about. I do believe Messrs. Flynn and Puzder thought about it.

ES20 update. The inner top has been quilted. About 24" of the border remains

This is my 1,399th post. Per Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 146,990 Pageviews.

Saturday, February 18, 2017

And today I completed 8.9% of the distance to my next goal and destination point.

Bands of rain traipsing through the area this morning and afternoon.

Always amazed at the number of recipes people put out there on social media…and yet they never try the recipes. I know if I see something that sort-of looks good, I’m gonna try it. A friend put up Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie a couple of days ago, and I decided that I liked the looks and the ease of re-creating the recipe that I just had to try it. And this is what is supposed to look like.

It was relatively easy to follow the recipe, once I found all the correct links. But it was sort of a pain rolling out the cinnamon rolls without them schmearing and sticking to the rolling pin and the counter top.

Something’s gone wrong with my FBS count in the morning. It is bouncing all over the place, which leads me to believe that there is something wrong with the blood sugar meter. It is at least 10 years old so I would suppose that is time to get a new one. I’m still on my exercise regime and I am sort-of watching what I am eating. Wonder if it my age change?

No, I haven't even had a slice of my Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie, as yet...

I do not even have Frontier/Verizon and I experienced the lag-time issue that many client-paying customers appeared to have had throughout Tampa and Clearwater.

This is my 1,397th post. Per Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 146,005 Pageviews.

“When one intends to move or when one intends to speak, one should first examine one’s own mind and then act appropriately with composure. When one sees one’s mind to be attached or repulsed, then one should neither act nor speak, but remain still like a piece of wood. When my mind is haughty, sarcastic, full of conceit and arrogance, ridiculing, evasive and deceitful, when it is inclined to boast, or when it is contemptuous of others, abusive, and irritable, then I should remain still like a piece of wood. When my mind is averse to the interests of others and seeks my own self-interest, or when it wishes to speak out of a desire for an audience, then I will remain still like a piece of wood. When it is impatient, indolent, timid, impudent, garrulous, or biased in my own favor, then I will remain still like a piece of wood.”

Santideva, A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life, V. Wallace and B. Wallace, trans. (1997), § 5.47

This is my 1,396th post. Per Blogger Jim’s Trek has recorded, as of this writing, 145,539 Pageviews.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Woke up with a fixed and centered ache just above my left eye this morning. Don’t know where that came from, but the good news is that several new orchids have bloomed on the deck just outside the bedroom French doors.

Oh, and that biopsy I had from the ½-dime-size growth on my chest proved to be benign. Just my regular 6-month checkup.

And then I decided that I needed to get on my Schwinn 170. I pedaled 20.2 miles this morning. Totals now stand at 27,503.9 miles; 44,263.3 kilometers.

I have now pedaled 98.8% of the distance to my next destination and goal point on my Mars Trek. All-things-being-equal I am now inside Mädler Crater. I haven’t reached the center as yet but that should happen the next time I get on my Schwinn 170.

I have chosen my next goal point which is 320 miles. It is southeast, I think, at the Marikh Vallis.

Soapbox –

I updated 45’s administrative org chart, sort of.

The question is, of course, whole be the next lucky recipient of the red “X”?

Paddy Power is giving the following odds to the question “When will Sean Spicer leave/get sacked as White House Press Secretary – Q1 2017: 4/1; 2018 or later: 4/7; Q3 2017: 9/1; Q2 2017: 10/3; and Q4 2017: 12/1. And not being a betting man, this should be an interesting focus. (Thanks, SS.)

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

This morning I pedaled another 20.6 miles on my Schwinn 170. I just hated the first 10 minutes of my 60-minute cycling. I struggled and I almost got off.

But I did love my last 10 minutes of my 60-minute workout. I could see, I could feel, I could hear the crowds cheer, (I just had to add that one). I completed another 60 minutes on my Schwinn Fitness cycles.

My totals now stand at 27,483.7 miles; 44,230.8 kilometers and 1,291 days… and still counting.

On the virtual part of my journey, I have completed 93.2% of the distance to my next destination and goal point, on Mars of course.

And Happy Valentine’s Day. Anniversary 2 + 25 ½ years.

Soapbox –

What is America doing?

“Donald Trump and the Art of the Apology”, The Atlantic, by Michele Cottle, February 13, 2017. https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/02/donald-trump-and-the-art-of-the-apology/516396/

“I offer my heartfelt apologies to Donald J. Trump for the disparaging remarks I have made about him over the past couple of years. My observations about his carnival-barker persona, his piggishness toward women, his rich-boy sense of entitlement, his middle-school notions of masculinity, his grade-school grasp of governing, his moral bankruptcy, his business bankruptcies, his rank dishonesty, his swooning admiration for autocrats, his petty vengefulness, his need to publicly discuss his penis, his temperamental unfitness for office––for all these and more I am sorry. Well, not sorry for the observations, exactly, so much as for the possibility that they struck him as in any way unfair or insufficiently respectful.”

I have now completed 87.5% of the distance to Mädler Crater. Yes, that’s the virtual part of my Trek.

Keeping my tally up.

I decided last week to begin decluttering. Including last night, and all in the kitchen, I have dropped, smashed, shattered, broken, destroyed, demolished, crashed five, that is 5 glass dishes. The worse was the circular glass tray from inside the microwave.

Don’t ask me what I am doing, but it is bloody hard to cook and juggle china while riding on my fitness cycle...

Soapbox –

It has been brought to my attention that I should give the current occupant of the Oval Office a chance.

A chance for what?

Has he not occupied the office since January 20, 2017? 24 days… 3 weeks and a bit.

How old is number 45? 70 and ½ years. One would think that he did, he does have the wherewithal to manage his direct staff and “subordinates”. One would think that in 70 and ½ years he would have managed to learn something, based on the (his) learned experience of running some sort of business empire.

His immediate minions are constantly bouncing around on one foot…the other of course stuck deeply down his or each other’s throat. But why give them the credibility of balancing on one foot?